Latest news with #homeworking
TTG
4 hours ago
- Business
- TTG
Coconut Travel boss hires husband to lead new homeworking division
In a Facebook post announcing the move, Claire wrote: "We are absolutely thrilled to officially welcome James as our operations director at Coconut Travel. "With more than 30 years' experience in the global travel industry, James is a true expert in the field. He'll be leading our homeworking division and overseeing the day-to-day operations as we scale up and continue to innovate across the business. "Not only is James a seasoned professional, he also happens to be my husband — and I couldn't be prouder to take this next step together." 'So passionate about travel' Claire said her recruitment policy for the homeworking division would prioritise "quality over quantity", although she stressed that didn't mean the door was closed to new or unproven talent. "There are people that are passionate about travel but cannot get their foot in the door," she continued. "I ask applicants to describe why they want to come into travel. They've usually either done their travel and tourism qualifications and they cannot get a break, or they're new to travel." Claire said having homeworkers still felt "very new". "I say to the homeworkers, 'we're all in this journey together'. I'm totally honest with them. I'm so passionate about travel and training. If you were to cut me, planes and cruise ships would come out of me." Claire added: "One day, I want to set up a travel academy where we take on students and give them some experience. That's always been my aim in life but it's not going to happen any time soon." She highlights Liz Houghton, who started in Coconut's shop in May 2022 as an intern. "She messaged me randomly. I used to book her holidays. I said she could do some work for me, but that I couldn't promise a job. She had worked in retail but never in travel. "Liz worked for me without pay for nine to 10 months. At that time, I was the only person running the shop. When I told her that she had got a job at Coconut Travel, she was over the moon. She absolutely loved it."
Telegraph
7 days ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Air traffic control encourages working from home to reach net zero
The air traffic control company responsible for Britain's skies embraced home working in a drive to 'go green', The Telegraph can disclose. Many staff at National Air Traffic Services (Nats) have been allowed to work remotely after managers decided it would help the organisation reduce its carbon footprint and cut car journeys to reach net zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2035. The 'agile working' policy does not include air traffic controllers themselves, as those people all still work inside secure control centres. However, it extends up to board level including chief executive Martin Rolfe, and also allows some operations staff to work from home. They are allowed to do so despite Nats being criticised for an air traffic control meltdown in 2023, which lasted for four hours in part because an on-call engineer who could have fixed a malfunctioning computer system was working from home and unable to gain full access. A subsequent failure for around half an hour on Wednesday triggered more than 150 cancellations and disrupted tens of thousands of holidaymakers. Nats has repeatedly said that agile working is crucial to help its green ambitions. In a responsible business report from 2021, published as the country recovered from the Covid-19 pandemic, a senior manager described how agile working would help Nats go green. 'The need to reduce our environmental impacts and costs was firmly part of our plans prior to Covid,' he said. 'Now the pandemic has hastened discussions on the amount and type of property and accommodation the business will need in the future, particularly in the context of agile working, which will allow Nats to make better use of people and space. 'A more permanent element of remote working also potentially supports a reduction in car journeys. Creating a new, agile-ready office work environment offers the opportunity to 'go green', and we're encouraging employees to make the most of the 'new office and new start' post-Covid.' Current job vacancies which allow remote working include a military air traffic control specialist, a post described as playing a 'key role within the operations transformation department' and responsibility for overseeing the implementation of a military radar contract. Others include a senior project manager in charge of 'multiple complex and major projects' and a tactical training planner whose roles include ensuring that 'competency is maintained'. In another report in July 2023, shortly before the August bank holiday air traffic chaos of that year, Nats unveiled a five-year plan titled 'our route towards carbon negative'. As part of its plan to reduce emissions 'on the ground' it said that it would reduce 'consumption and improve energy efficiency, reduce unnecessary business and commuting travel emissions, adopt agile working'. It boasted of a 6 per cent reduction in its 'commuting footprint' and said that by not returning all of its staff to the office, it had reduced carbon dioxide emissions. The air traffic control company won a 'climate leaders' award the following year for achieving the highest score in a survey that asked stock market-listed companies how they were reducing emissions. Solar panels Part of that work included installing more than 2,600 solar panels on the roof of Nats' Swanwick air traffic control centre, which was completed a year ago. Bosses hope that the panels will eventually provide up to a fifth of the centre's electricity needs, even though the technology only generates power when the sun is shining. 'This project is the first of three large-scale solar installations at Nats' sites involving some 12,000 panels,' Nats said in a statement about the Swanwick works issued last July. 'Work is underway to fit solar panels to the roof of the Prestwick Centre in Ayrshire and ground-mounted panels will be installed on adjoining land later this year,' it added. Prestwick is the headquarters of Scottish Control, which is in charge of the skies over the northern UK mainland and Northern Ireland. It also hosts Shanwick Oceanic Control, which is responsible for all flights to and from the US that pass over the eastern half of the North Atlantic. However, reliance on solar panels has previously been blamed for blackouts such as those seen in Spain and Portugal earlier this year. In April the solar-dependent Spanish electricity grid became unstable thanks to the large amount of intermittent renewable power connected to it, eventually triggering a total loss of electricity across the entire Iberian peninsula. Fears of aviation meltdowns because of unreliable power supplies came true earlier this year when Heathrow Airport was forced to close after a site-wide power cut that disrupted 700,000 airline passengers around the world. That incident was eventually traced back to the failure of a single National Grid transformer with a fault that had been known about for years. Diversity hiring A focus on air traffic diversity hiring was also criticised by Donald Trump earlier this year after a deadly crash between a military helicopter and passenger plane that killed 67 people in Washington DC. The US president said that employees with 'severe disabilities' had been hired as part of a diversity and inclusion drive and vowed to 'put safety first'. A Nats spokesman said on Thursday: 'Yesterday's issue was radar related and was resolved quickly by switching to the back-up system during which time we reduced traffic to ensure safety. There is no evidence that this was cyber related. 'Regarding our working policies, we adopted 'agile working' in 2020, post-pandemic for appropriate roles. It does not include frontline staff such as controllers and engineers based in our centres.'
TTG
13-06-2025
- Health
- TTG
‘It's comfortable and cosy': why working from bed is key to this agent's success
by Emma Dooney A travel agency owner has called for more compassion for homeworkers, arguing that she manages her company more efficiently from her house – and indeed her bed – than she ever could from an office. Paula Hansen runs World Accessible Holidays, which specialises in travel for disabled clients, entirely from her home in Wales. Like many agents, she believes a remote model enables her to maintain a healthier work-life balance and be overall more productive. But for Hansen, homeworking isn't just a perk – it's a necessity. The mother of one lives with fibromyalgia, a chronic disorder that causes pain in muscles and soft tissues all over the body. Other symptoms include fatigue, brain fog and sleep disturbances, all of which can significantly affect the individual's ability to work – and makes working from an office almost impossible. In 2023, 136,000 claimants of PIP (Personal Independence Payment) listed fibromyalgia as their main disabling condition. Many people in employment may also require additional sick leave and/or reduced hours, due to the severe and often volatile nature of their symptoms. But Hansen is determined not to let her fibromyalgia limit her potential as a business woman. Three years on from her diagnosis, she has developed a sturdy kit of tools for maintaining her productivity – including working from bed. 'Why shouldn't you work from bed?' Hansen tells TTG Luxury. 'It's comfortable and cosy, and you're probably working more effectively because you're relaxed.' The self-proclaimed 'bedpreneur' says that working from bed is also preferable to a desk, which tends to flare up her symptoms: 'All of the pain from my fibromyalgia is from the hips upwards, so my back will hurt if I'm sitting on a chair for too long.' Hansen's work hours are also atypical, beginning at around 10am and ending at nearly midnight. 'My pain levels are highest in the morning, so I'll do some hours after 10am, and then if I'm tired, I'll go and have a sleep, and then resume work when I wake up,' she explains. 'So it is more like a nine to 11 schedule, with lots of sleep breaks in between.' She also uses meditation and ice packs, along with painkillers when necessary, to further alleviate her symptoms. 'Why shouldn't you work from bed? It's comfortable and cosy' As well as helping her to manage pain more effectively, working from home has also been hugely beneficial for Hansen's concentration. Without the usual office disruptions, she says she can focus for longer and thus, complete tasks faster. This lack of distractions can be especially valuable for people with fibromyalgia, 80% of whom will experience issues with memory and attention. While Hansen's condition has undoubtedly made work more challenging, it has also instilled in her a great deal of empathy for her clients. The Cardiff native knows all too well the obstacles of travelling with mobility issues; as well as causing extreme tiredness, her fibromyalgia prevents her from sitting in one position for extended periods of time, which makes driving and flying particularly difficult. Hansen also has a teenage son with cerebral palsy, a neurological condition that causes muscle weakness and impaired mobility. While Evan can walk short distances, he requires a wheelchair and is unable to travel without assistance. Flying can be especially 'nightmarish', says Hansen, due to the lack of consideration from other passengers boarding the plane. It's this first-hand experience of disability that has given her the determination to continue advocating for disabled travellers – even when she's in severe pain. Hansen arranges all types of trips for her clients, from city breaks and beach holidays to safaris and honeymoons. To achieve this, she partners with specialist suppliers who can provide medical equipment, adapted transport and accessible accommodation. The disability of her customers varies, but each one has a dream of travelling without barriers. For many, it's their first holiday after a serious illness or accident. The additional requirements create extra work for Hansen, but having witnessed the life-changing power of travel for individuals with disabilities, she says 'it's all worthwhile'. 'When you have a client tell you they've gotten into the sea for the first time because you've recommended a hotel with a sea track, that is much better than just someone saying, 'I've had a great holiday,'' she explains. 'It's so rewarding.' Previous Article P&O Cruises unveils new ship visit programme with 650 agent places available Next Article Finalists revealed for TTG Travel Industry Awards 2025
TTG
13-06-2025
- Health
- TTG
'It's comfortable and cosy': why working from bed is key to this agent's success
A travel agency owner has called for more compassion for homeworkers, arguing that she manages her company more efficiently from her house – and indeed her bed – than she ever could from an office. Paula Hansen runs World Accessible Holidays, which specialises in travel for disabled clients, entirely from her home in Wales. Like many agents, she believes a remote model enables her to maintain a healthier work-life balance and be overall more productive. But for Hansen, homeworking isn't just a perk – it's a necessity. The mother-of-one lives with fibromyalgia, a chronic disorder that causes pain in muscles and soft tissues all over the body. Other symptoms include fatigue, brain fog and sleep disturbances, all of which can significantly affect the individual's ability to work – and makes working from an office almost impossible. In 2023, 136,000 claimants of PIP (Personal Independence Payment) listed fibromyalgia as their main disabling condition. Many people in employment may also require additional sick leave and/or reduced hours, due to the severe and often volatile nature of their symptoms. But Hansen is determined not to let her fibromyalgia limit her potential as a business woman. Three years on from her diagnosis, she has developed a sturdy kit of tools for maintaining her productivity – including working from bed. 'Why shouldn't you work from bed?' Hansen tells TTG Luxury. 'It's comfortable and cosy, and you're probably working more effectively because you're relaxed.' The self-proclaimed 'bedpreneur' says that working from bed is also preferable to a desk, which tends to flare up her symptoms: 'All of the pain from my fibromyalgia is from the hips upwards, so my back will hurt if I'm sitting on a chair for too long.' Hansen's work hours are also atypical, beginning at around 10am and ending at nearly midnight. 'My pain levels are highest in the morning, so I'll do some hours after 10am, and then if I'm tired, I'll go and have a sleep, and then resume work when I wake up,' she explains. 'So it is more like a nine to 11 schedule, with lots of sleep breaks in between.' She also uses meditation and ice packs, along with painkillers when necessary, to further alleviate her symptoms. 'Why shouldn't you work from bed? It's comfortable and cosy' As well as helping her to manage pain more effectively, working from home has also been hugely beneficial for Hansen's concentration. Without the usual office disruptions, she says she can focus for longer and thus, complete tasks faster. This lack of distractions can be especially valuable for people with fibromyalgia, 80% of whom will experience issues with memory and attention. While Hansen's condition has undoubtedly made work more challenging, it has also instilled in her a great deal of empathy for her clients. The Cardiff native knows all too well the obstacles of travelling with mobility issues; as well as causing extreme tiredness, her fibromyalgia prevents her from sitting in one position for extended periods of time, which makes driving and flying particularly difficult. Hansen also has a teenage son with cerebral palsy, a neurological condition that causes muscle weakness and impaired mobility. While Evan can walk short distances, he requires a wheelchair and is unable to travel without assistance. Flying can be especially 'nightmarish', says Hansen, due to the lack of consideration from other passengers boarding the plane. It's this first-hand experience of disability that has given her the determination to continue advocating for disabled travellers – even when she's in severe pain. Hansen arranges all types of trips for her clients, from city breaks and beach holidays to safaris and honeymoons. To achieve this, she partners with specialist suppliers who can provide medical equipment, adapted transport and accessible accommodation. The disability of her customers varies, but each one has a dream of travelling without barriers. For many, it's their first holiday after a serious illness or accident. The additional requirements create extra work for Hansen, but having witnessed the life-changing power of travel for individuals with disabilities, she says 'it's all worthwhile'. 'When you have a client tell you they've gotten into the sea for the first time because you've recommended a hotel with a sea track, that is much better than just someone saying, 'I've had a great holiday,'' she explains. 'It's so rewarding.'
Travel Daily News
09-06-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Not Just Travel expands BDM team with Chris Winpenny
Not Just Travel appoints Chris Winpenny as Business Development Manager to enhance support for its expanding network of UK homeworking travel consultants. Not Just Travel has announced the appointment of travel industry veteran Chris Winpenny to its Business Development Manager team, further strengthening the support network for its growing community of homeworking consultants. Chris Winpenny brings over 17 years of travel sector experience to the role, including eight years at luxury operator Kuoni where he held multiple positions spanning store management, virtual call centre operations, retail marketing, events coordination and mentoring. Beginning his career at First Choice, Winpenny has cultivated extensive supplier relationships across the industry that will prove invaluable in his new position supporting Not Just Travel's consultant network. 'Chris's strategic appointment demonstrates our continued investment in providing award-winning support and mentorship to our travel consultant community,' said Steve Witt, Co-founder of Not Just Travel. 'His energy and enthusiasm for business development, goal-setting and strategic planning makes him a valuable recruiting catch for our team. Chris's experience in creating and hosting bespoke events is a true asset, and his track record of nurturing talent aligns perfectly with our commitment to helping our consultants achieve their full potential.' Winpenny expressed excitement about joining the forward-thinking homeworking group: 'I'm looking forward to helping the travel consultants thrive and flourish in their businesses. Paul Harrison and Steve Witt are co-founders who are future-focused. They don't wait around for the next travel trend, but use technology and networks to drive the business forward in pioneering ways. Not Just Travel is among the most advanced companies I've seen.' The appointment comes as the company continues to expand its presence in the UK homeworking sector, with the company reporting strong recruitment and sales growth in recent months.
